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Caroll Spinney,
veteran, puppeteer
WOODSTOCK --- Caroll Spinney, 85, the puppeteer who gave life to “Sesame Street’s” Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, died Dec. 8., 2019, at home. He served as the puppeteer for Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch since the Sesame Street premiere in 1969.
Spinney had been diagnosed with dystonia, a neurological movement disorder that produces involuntary muscle contractions, cramps and other symptoms, causing him to retire from puppeteering the two characters in 2018.
“His enormous talent and outsized heart were perfectly suited to playing the larger-than-life yellow bird who brought joy to generations of children and countless fans of all ages around the world, and his lovably cantankerous grouch gave us all permission to be cranky once in a while,” the Sesame Street press release said. “Caroll Spinney gave something truly special to the world. With deepest admiration, Sesame Workshop is proud to carry his memory — and his beloved characters — into the future.”
Spinney and his wife Debra were frequent visitors to downtown Putnam. Spinney appeared often at Arts & Framing signing autographs.
Spinney was born Dec. 26, 1933, in Waltham, Mass. His mother, a native of England, named him Caroll because he was born the day after Christmas. He has been drawing and painting since he was a child. He developed a love of puppeteering when he saw a performance of “Three Little Kittens” at the age of 5. He bought a monkey puppet at a rummage sale and put on puppet shows. The next year his mother gave him a Punch and Judy puppet theater. He raised money for college doing puppet shows.
After he graduated from high school in Acton, Mass., he served in the U.S. Air Force. where he drew a comic strip. He joined a TV puppet show in Boston. Later, after meeting Jim Hanson who told Spinney he “liked what you’re trying to do”, became a Muppeteer in 1969 of Sesame Street. He performed all over the world and also created artwork and books.
Richard W. Stubbs,
Vietnam war vet
WOODSTOCK — Richard W. Stubbs, 73, of Woodstock, died Dec. 6, 2019. He was the husband of Margaret (Meg) Stubbs.
He was born July 26, 1946, in Waterbury, to Edwin and Dorothy Stubbs of Waterbury. He graduated from UConn with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and became an ardent fan of the UConn women’s basketball team. Richard met his wife-to-be Meg in the UConn Outing Club, and they have been adventuring together ever since, instilling a love of hiking, climbing, and caving in their children and, later, grandchildren.
In June of 1968 Richard joined the U.S. Army, and later became an Army Ranger. He served in the 11th and 14th Armored Cavalry Units, including a tour of duty in Vietnam for which he received a Purple Heart. After retiring from the military in 1988, Richard continued to serve his country through the American Red Cross, as executive director of the Waterbury Chapter for more than 19 years; deputy chief of Disaster Planning and Readiness for the Connecticut Chapter for two years; and service delivery manager for CT, RI, ME, NH, VT for three years.
In 2014, Richard and Meg moved to Woodstock, upon the arrival of twin granddaughters. As a very involved grandparent, he instilled his love of the outdoors, reading, music (particularly traditional oompah tunes), trains, fantasy, and the importance of family. The outdoor skills that Richard taught his children will continue to be passed on to new generations with great joy and fond remembrance.
He leaves his wife, Margaret (Meg); daughter Elizabeth Gould, son-in-law Nathaniel Gould, and grandchildren Pipa and Wren; son William Stubbs and daughter-in-law Morgan Thompson; son Christopher Stubbs; and son James Stubbs, daughter-in-law Kelsey Stubbs and grandchild Charles. He was predeceased by his parents Edwin and Dorothy Stubbs.
Donations: American Red Cross or Appalachian Mountain Club. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Robert A. Dupre,
Korean war vet
HEBRON — Robert Arthur Dupre, 86, of Hebron, died Nov. 28, 2019.
Born Jan. 24, 1933, in Putnam, he was a son of the late Ernest Joseph and Diana (Plasse) Dupre. Bob was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and attended St. Mary’s Parochial Elementary School and Putnam High School.
In 1967, Bob married his beloved wife, Beverly Maryann (Damm). The couple moved to Hebron in 1971. While working full time and supporting his family, Bob graduated from Manchester Community College, with an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy.
Bob was a Navy veteran who served during the Korean war. He was a member of the American Legion, Post 95, in Hebron. He worked for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft for 38 years until his retirement. Bob enjoyed giving back and serving others, and was honored in 1992 by P&WA for his many years of community service and leadership to Hebron Boy Scout Troop 28 and Explorer Post.
Bob was a lifelong outdoorsman. He enjoyed years of adventures, fishing, hunting, hiking, canoeing, and camping throughout New England and Canada. Bob instilled his love of nature in both his children. After numerous hiking trips with the Hebron Explorer Post, Bob and his son became members of the Appalachian Mountain 4,000 Footer Club. At the age of 70, he climbed his last 4,000 foot mountain with his daughter.
Bob was always very handy and enjoyed working on various projects including planting every tree in his yard, building an addition on his home, and completing numerous community service projects with the scouts. Throughout his retirement, Bob traveled extensively throughout the U.S. with his family especially enjoying the wonders of the U.S. National Parks. He stayed connected with old friends by attending many PHS reunions. Bob enjoyed meeting friends daily for breakfast in Hebron. He also enjoyed sitting in his favorite chair reading and watching the wildlife in his backyard. Bob loved all animals and had many pets over the years but he was deeply attached to his golden retriever, Jake.
He leaves his wife of more than 52 years, Beverly; son, Daniel (Beth) Dupre, of Marlborough; daughter, Judith Dupre (Aaron Schaeffer), of Arlington, Va.; sisters, Pauline LaPlante, of Sunrise, Fla., and Ann Desantis, of Wallkill, N.Y.; grandson, Austin; honorary grandsons, Tim and Paul along with their mother, Marie; caregiver, Jhonny. In addition to both of his parents, Bob was predeceased by siblings, Madeline, Sylvia and Raymond Dupre; and his brother-in-law, Robert Desantis.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 6 at St. Columba Church in Columbia with burial in the Connecticut State Veterans’ Cemetery in Middletown. Donations: Hebron Volunteer Fire Department 44 Main St. Hebron, CT 06248. Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, Colchester.
Lillian B. Lajoie
SUMMERFIELD, Fla. — Lillian B. (Labonte) Lajoie, 91, died unexpectedly Dec. 6, 2019, at The Villages Regional Hospital. She was the wife of Roland “Pete” Lajoie for 71 years. She was born Aug. 7, 1928, in Putnam, to the late Frederick and Albina (Bizzalion) Labonte. Lillian graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial High School as the valedictorian for the Class of 1946. She worked in the office of Cluett Peabody, was the office manager for Deran/Borden Candy Shop, and several other offices. She was a communicant of St. Joseph’s in N. Grosvenordale, and St. Timothy in Summerfield. She enjoyed her retirement in Florida for 21 years.
In addition to her husband, Lillian leaves behind her daughter Jackie Lajoie of Thompson; son Michael Lajoie of Mentor, Ohio; three grandsons, Robert J. Lajoie “RJ” of Mentor, Ryan and Amanda Lajoie of W. Thompson; Jeffrey and Danielle Lajoie of Boston; great-grandson Rhett and great-granddaughter, Willa Rose; sister-in-law, Liz Lajoie (Jim,); her lifelong special friend Rachel Wojick. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Pauline Cournoyer, Doris Dery, Raymond Labonte, and her son, Robert K. Lajoie.
Visitation is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 14 in the Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at noon. in St. Joseph Church, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: St. Joseph School, P.O. Box 137, Thompson, CT 06277.
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